Testimony Gallery
Thomas Hardy
Shirlee Jobe
Betty Grant
James Ailor
Kathryn McElroy
Shawn Nolton
A Previous Graduate
For 30 years, addiction was my reality. Every morning, I woke up to the same emptiness, carrying the weight of regret and shame. I missed my family so deeply, but even more, I missed myself—the person I used to be before addiction took everything away. No matter what I tried, nothing filled that hole inside me. I wasn’t raised to believe in God—my dad was an atheist—so faith was never something I thought could change me. But the truth was, I was lost, searching for something I couldn’t name. When I came to God’s New Life, what I really found were angels in God’s army. I didn’t believe I could be saved. I had burned too many bridges, hurt too many people, and given up on the idea of a future. But they never gave up on me. They loved me when I didn’t think I was worth loving. They believed in me when I had no belief left. They saw a person inside me that I couldn’t see anymore. Through their patience, kindness, and faith, I experienced something that had always been missing—hope. I discovered that I wasn’t too far gone, that God loved me even when I didn’t believe in Him. That realization changed everything. Slowly, the darkness began to lift. I found a strength I didn’t know I had, and for the first time, I believed that I could be free. Today, I am six years sober. I have my family back, I have myself back, and my life is filled with gratitude, peace, and purpose. I no longer wake up to emptiness. I am forever grateful for Mission Teens and their dedication to showing the lost their way, and to God who makes all things new.